Alert Level 2 Announcement

12 May 2020

Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that on Wednesday night we will move to Alert Level 2. You can find out more information about what being at Alert Level 2 means here.

Compared to other sectors, we’ve been fortunate we’ve been able to be on-site for the last couple of weeks. While its great to see us move down the Alert Levels, now is not the time to be complacent with COVID-19 and health and safety. The Government has released 8 Golden Rules for working at Level 2; these are:

  1. COVID-19 is still out there. Play it safe.
  2. All businesses can operate if they can do so safely. Alternative ways of working are encouraged where possible.
  3. Talk with your workers to identify risks and ways to manage them.
  4. Ask everyone, workers, contractors, and customers, with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay away from your premises.
  5. Keep groups of customers a minimum 1 metre apart.
  6. Keep contact-tracing records of anyone who will have close interaction (workers, contractors, or customers).
  7. Reduce the number of shared surfaces, and regularly disinfect them.
  8. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.

Updated Alert Level 2 Residential Construction and Display Home Protocols
Over the last week, we’ve worked with our partners SiteSafe, CHASNZ, Certified Builders and others to update the protocols for residential construction and display homes for working at Alert Level 2. You can access these updated versions here. We’ve also updated the on-site signage; this is available on the CHASNZ website. The main changes in the protocols include:

  • Recommending workers stay 2m from those outside their work bubble
  • Multiple trades can work onsite now if they follow the protocols and physical distancing
  • Workers staying a minimum 1m from all other workers unless necessary and a risk assessment has been completed 
  • Non-essential visitors can undertake site visits with prior notice.

The Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme
A couple of weeks ago, the Government announced further support for small businesses as part of their response to COVID-19. Applications are now open. 

The Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme provides assistance of up to $100,000 to firms employing up to 50 full-time employees. The scheme will provide $10,000 to each firm and $1,800 per equivalent full-time employee. Loans will be interest free if they are paid back within a year, otherwise interest will be 3%. Repayments are not required for the first two years. Applications are now open on the IRD website, click here for more information.

Regional Business Partner Network
Government has announced the injection of $25m into the provision of professional services for small to medium sized businesses through the Regional Business Partner Program (RBP). Members can receive up to $5,000 to offset professional service costs in relation to cashflow management and forecasting. Details on the RBP Program and eligibility can be found here.
 
As part of PwC's ongoing support of Master Builders, they’ve created a construction specific workshop to assist members understand, plan, and control their cashflows. Click here for workshop information.

The practical steps to access the funding and the workshop are as follows:

  1. Register on the RBP website here.
  2. Connect with a local (specific to your region) RBP Growth Advisor who are frequently connected with the local chamber of commerce.  
  3. Complete a brief assessment with the RBP Growth Advisor.
  4. Advise the RBP Growth Advisor that you would like to work with PwC
  5. Once you receive confirmation from the RBP Growth Advisor that your funding has been approved, register for the workshop here.
  6. Contact Peter Cody on peter.j.cody@pwc.com to confirm that you have received funding and are keen to proceed with the workshop.


PwC will then contact you to discuss the specifics of the workshop and arrange a suitable time.